The December 28th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including ticket demand continues to rise, Angels still showing interest in Ryan Madson, sign three to minor league deals and much more…

The Story: The Angels have sold 3,300 new season tickets and 4,500 ticket packages since they announced the signings of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.

The Monkey Says: I believe I saw somewhere that those new ticket sales equates to roughly $5 million in revenue, though I think that fails to take into account tickets that would’ve been sold anyway on an individual basis nor does it account for the parking/concessions/merchandise revenue that will come with those sales.  Either way, the Angels are at least recouping a small chunk of what they are paying to Pujols and Wilson before the games even begin.


The Story: The Angels are “keeping the dialogue open” with closer Ryan Madson.

The Monkey Says: I get the sense that the Angels are just keeping in touch with Madson should his price decline.  In particular, I am wondering if Madson might not be interested in signing a one-year deal since next off-season, the number of closers available is pretty minimal.  As of right now, it would just be K-Rod, Brandon League, Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valverde and maybe Huston Street.  If Madson joined that crop, he would be far and away the best closer on the market.


The Story: The Angels have signed OF Ryan Langerhans, C Robinzon Diaz and RHP Eric Hurley to minor league deals with invites to spring training.

The Monkey Says: Hurley and Diaz figure just to be depth for the a Triple-A Salt Lake team that could use some warm bodies.  Langerhans probably will be too, but it is possible that he could make the team as a fifth outfielder should the Halos decide Jeremy Moore is better off getting regular playing time in Triple-A than playing sparingly in Anaheim.  Langerhans at least has big league experience and is a good fielder who can draw some walks (which is good, because he can’t actually hit the ball).


The Story: John Sickels unveils his Top 20 Angels Prospects for 2012.

The Monkey Says: He seems pretty high on Taylor Lindsey, which is great, but he is already starting to slighly raise red flags about C.J. Cron’s walk rate, which is not so great.


The Story: Jon Morosi thinks the Indians and Angels match up for a Trumbo-bullpen arms trade.

The Monkey Says: I am definitely in the “trade Trumbo while his value is high” camp, but I also am wary of trading away a potential perennial 30-homer guy for some middle relief help.  My guess is that only Vinnie Pestano has the kind of upside that would make this trade even worth thinking about.  Even then, I don’t know much about Pestano and whether or not his strong 2011 season was a fluke.


The Story: Buster Olney ranks the Angels’ rotation as third-best in the majors.

The Monkey Says: I have no problem with this… right now.  However, if Jerome Williams or Garrett Richards excels as the fifth starter and Vance Worley struggles in Philly or Matt Moore stumbles for the Rays, then I think the Halos could move to the top.


The Story: The Angels have been the most prolific hit-and-run team in baseball since 2003.

The Monkey Says: Interesting to see that it actually doesn’t create a large overall advantage for them, though it definitely looks like it has helped a little bit.


The Story: The offense held the Angels back in 2011.

The Monkey Says: This article has no new info, I just couldn’t get over how the headline was a picture perfect exercise in stating the obvious.


The Story: The most underrated player on each AL team, with Alberto Callaspo representing the Angels.

The Monkey Says: Oh boy, I don’t want to see what the comments section is going to look like after this one.